Friday, February 27, 2009

When You Thought I Wasn't Looking

An e-mail I received today:

A message every adult should read because children are watching you and doing as you do, not as you say. When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you hang my first painting on the refrigerator, and I immediately wanted to paint another one.
When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you feed a stray cat, and I learned that it was good to be kind to animals.
When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you make my favorite cake for me, and I learned that the little things can be the special things in life.
When you thought I wasn't looking I heard you say a prayer, and I knew that there is a God I could always talk to, and I learned to trust in Him.
When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you make a meal and take it to a friend who was sick, and I learned that we all have to help take care of each other.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you give of your time and money to help people who had nothing, and I learned that those who have something should give to those who don't.
When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you take care of our house and everyone in it, and I learned we have to take care of what we are given.
When you thought I wasn't looking I saw how you handled your responsibilities, even when you didn't feel good, and I learned that I would have to be responsible when I grow up.
When you thought I wasn't looking I saw tears come your eyes, and I learned that sometimes things hurt, but it's all right to cry.
When you thought I wasn't looking I saw that you cared, and I wanted to be everything that I could be.
When you thought I wasn't looking I learned most of life's lessons that I need to know to be a good and productive person when I grow up.
When you thought I wasn't looking I looked at you and wanted to say,'Thanks for all the things I saw when you thought I wasn't looking.'
I AM SENDING THIS TO ALL OF THE PEOPLE I KNOW WHO DO SO MUCH FOR OTHERS, BUT THINK THAT NO ONE EVER SEES.

LITTLE EYES SEE A LOT .
Each of us influence the life of a child. How will you touch the life of someone today? Just by sending this to someone else, you will probably make them at least think about their influence on others. Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God.

It got me thinking (as most things do). I realized how much I learned about love from my parents who divorced. See, when they thought I wasn't looking they fought with each other. In the process, I learned that sometimes things really are worth fighting for. I learned that when you give up prematurely, things get really messy. I learned that if you fight every single battle that comes along, you don't really want to fight about what matters.

It's funny to me how much my parents marriage and divorce taught me first about God and second about love.

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Slow Club

In October I joined a club that some of you may have heard of. It's called "Slow Club". There are two rules to Slow Club: (1) NO running, and (2) NO hurrying. Sounds great, right? That's because it is. See, I love the peace and quiet of early mornings. I love driving my car with no music on so God and I can chat. I love slowing down enough to notice the goodness of God in everything.

Unfortunately, I let myself be dragged out of the club. It's hard to slow down life around you when life keeps racing faster and faster. In the process I started to lose who I am. I am a confident young woman who still has so much growing to do, but who is in no rush to do so. Part of me is so ready to grow up, but after enough days of waking up and wishing a day is over I've realized how much I LOVE Slow Club. Maybe that's because Slow Club never meets. It solely exists. Slow Club, unlike many other groups and clubs, has grace like God. It gives free will to leave and come back. If it had a preference, it wants us to stay and enjoy it's goodness.

So, Slow Club, I'm back! No more hurrying. No more rushing. Y'all can wait. Because I really am worth it. And so is He.